Treated for GERD but NO response to any meds!

Hi,

New to this board but I'm frustrated and cannot get any answers.

Back in March of 2009, food began to get stuck in my throat. Primarily

chicken and nuts. Saw a doctor, had an endoscopy and the doc

said that I had a hiatal hernia and was experiencing GERD. Prescribed

Prevacid.

Prevacid did not work at all. Then I tried Protonix, no help. Aciphex, no help.

I tried Prilosec too. It is now 9 months later and they are still saying it's GERD. I am supposed

to have the 24 hr PH test but insurance is having a hard time getting that

scheduled.

Is there anyone else here that does not respond to meds?

They tested me for food allergies. Negative. I had an ultrasound to check for

liver or gall bladder problems. Negative.

Now, my throat is so bad that I go hoarse after just a few minutes of speaking and it

ALWAYS feels as if something is stuck in my throat. Had the throat scope and the

ENT said that my vocal chords were inflamed. That's it.

I've lost 30 lbs since March, my diet is completely different. I don't know what to think.

I do have Lupus and I think most docs think it has something to do with that but my

Rheumy says no. My numbers are way down, almost negative for Lupus.

Ideas?

Thanks for the reply. I need to have this 24 PH monitor test before they will consider surgery. Why do doctor's discourage surgery for this? My doc and my GI said that they don't recommend surgery since it doesn't cure the underlying problem...the abundance of acid even with meds. From some of the other posts I've seen, looks like I haven't been battling with this for too long but it sure feels like it! I worry about permanent damage to my vocal chords.

Also, why does it get so much worse if I drink alot of water? Should be better I'd think. Just talking out loud.

Doesn't cure the underlying problem???!!!!
The problem is you don't have a strong enough LES to hold the acid in your stomach.
Acid level is the same in everyone, it's a weak LES that makes it flow up into our esophagus.

Four years of acid flow on my cords cause me not to be able to sing like I used to. My voice is weaker.
The water cause the acid to flow out some.

Joy

I would say try going bland for a while and see if that helps. Then slowly introduce foods to see what's ok and what makes it worse. Can you tolerate broiled chicken? Noodles without spagetti sauce, pudding, soups.

That's how I was too. I didn't eat for quite a while. I ended up losing almost 50 pounds in less than a year. I actually got used to the empty feeling and it got really hard to eat even a few bites. Have you tried carafate? It coats your stomach and protects it from acids. It sounds like you have more problems with your throat than your stomach tho.

It maybe silent GERD. No burn but your throat is a mess.

Joy